They Were Strong and Good

"They Were Strong and Good" is Robert Lawson's 1941 Caldecott Medal winner, presenting his family's history as a microcosm of American social history. It follows his ancestors through various periods, from Caribbean storms to the Civil War, emphasizing their ordinary strength and goodness. However, the book is highly controversial due to its original text and illustrations, which include stereotypical and derogatory depictions of American Indians and Black people, reflecting the biases of its publication era. While the text has seen some revisions, the illustrations remain. This book serves as a powerful tool for discussing historical context, evolving societal values, and media literacy, but requires significant adult guidance and preparation to navigate its problematic content.

They Were Strong and Good is a book by Robert Lawson that won the Caldecott Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1941. It tells the story of Lawson's family: where they came from, how they met, what they did, where they lived. "None of them," Lawson says in the preface, speaking of his ancestors, "were great or famous, but they were strong and good." [1][1] [1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Were_Strong_and_Good